The Directed Reading Program (DRP) pairs a mentor (graduate student or postdoc) with a mentee (undergraduate student) for a semester-long reading project. The DRP is open to all students and postdoc in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Binghamton University. The DRP will start in Fall 2026.

Participation in the DRP offers an opportunity to explore mathematical topics beyond your current coursework and research. It may open avenues toward future research directions, including potential dissertation topics or independent projects, while also providing meaningful mentorship experience. More info on the DRP Network page.

The DRP is open to all math and statistics majors, there are no GPA requirements or course prerequisites. Whether you've just started your major or you're close to graduation, there's likely a reading project that fits your interests. Mentors will propose topics at a range of levels, so don't worry if you feel like you don't have "enough" background yet, that's exactly what the program is for.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to the organizers listed at the bottom. 

Format:

• Mentors select the topic and submit a short proposal for a reading project.

• Mentees receive the list of mentors and reading projects, and choose which ones are interesting to them.

• Pairs are matched based on their stated interests. 

• Mentors and mentees are expected to meet at least 1 hour weekly.

• Mentors guide mentees during the semester and help them to prepare a short presentation for the end of the semester.

For mentees: 

A survey will be distributed at the end of Summer 2026 for you to indicate which ones are interesting to you. Stay tuned and keep an eye on your @bing email!

For mentors: 

Applications for Fall 2026 are now closed. Stay tuned for Spring 2027.

If you would like to be a mentor for the DRP but are not sure about the topic, please feel free to ask faculty members in the department for ideas. (It's OK if you are a first-year grad student: this is an opportunity to figure out what you want to work on, and who you want to work with.)

 Organizers: Huy Dang, Hanlim Jang, Lorenzo Ruffoni, Robert Rust